These independent thinkers who firmly asserted their right to worship according to their belief, were brought into constant conflict with the constituted authorities of the Church of England. As Bradford says: “This contention was so great, as neither the honour of God, the common persecution, nor the mediation of Mr. Calvin and other worthies of the Lord in those places, could prevail with those thus episcopally minded, but they proceeded by all means to disturb the peace of this poor persecuted church, even so far as to charge (very unjustly and ungodly, yet prelate like) some of their chief opposers, with rebellion and high treason....” And then regarding their treatment he says: “They could not long continue in any peaceable condition but were hunted and persecuted on every side.” [Illustration: Birdseye view of Brewster Manor in Scrooby] From 1603 when King James I succeeded Elizabeth who had reigned as Queen during the preceding forty-five years, conditions grew increasingly worse until as Bradford continues: “Seeing themselves thus molested and that there was no hope of their continuance there, they resolved to go into the Low Countries, where they heard was freedom of religion for all men; as also how sundry from London, and other parts of the land had been exiled and persecuted for the same cause, and were gone thither and lived at Amsterdam and in other places of the land. So after they had continued together about a year, and kept their meetings every sabbath, in one place or other, exercising the worship of God amongst themselves, notwithstanding all the diligence and malice of their adversaries, they seeing they could no longer continue in that condition, they resolved to get over into Holland as they could which was in the year 1607-1608.” [Illustration: Church at Scrooby] [Illustration: Capture of escaping Pilgrims by an English mob] CHAPTER II Escape: Holland _The Migration to Holland_ was not accomplished without its set-backs and misgivings. In the first place it was unlawful under an old statute which made emigrating without authority a penal crime. They were several times intercepted in their attempt to depart from English soil. But they were determined in purpose and brave in heart.